Who We Are and What We Do |
The Jewish salutation L'CHAIM means "To Life!" CHAIM means LIFE in Hebrew, and stands for "CHristians Announcing Israel's Messiah". (Pronounce it with a guttural "h". It rhymes with "ti-ime")
Our Purpose
We promote the gospel among the Jewish people through direct evangelism, motivating and equipping churches, and discipling Jewish believers. It is our desire to help rebuild the Reformed witness to the Jewish people in the USA.
Theological and Ecclesiastical Ties
We subscribe solely to the Westminster Standards. CHAIM is Evangelical, Reformed, and Covenantal.
CHAIM was officially recognized by the PCA 20th General Assembly (click here to read)
Staff
Our director, Rev. Fred Klett (click here for bio) was the first ordained PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) evangelist specifically called to the Jewish people. Rev. Richard Anderson, from a Conservative Jewish background, (click here for his testimony) is the only ordained evangelist to the Jewish people in the OPC. Pnina Lizorkin, our Israel field representaive does translation of children's materials in Israel. Our board members are all PCA or OPC teaching or ruling elders.
Our Board Members
Board of Reference
Dr. Samuel Logan - President of Westminster Seminary
Dr. Richard Gamble - Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL
Dr. Roger Greenway - Director of Christian Reformed World Ministries, Professor at Calvin Seminary
Dr. Milton Fisher - OT Professor & NIV translator, former President of Philadelphia Theological Seminary
Rev. John Yenchko - New Life PCA in Glenside, PA
Rev. Mark Herzer - Christ Covenant PCA in Hatboro, PA
Board of Directors
Elder John Felser - Ruling Elder, Christ the King PCA, Conshohocken, PA
Rev. Mel Ferrar - Pastor Emiritus, Providence PCA, Quakertown, PA
Rev. Chris O'brien - Pastor Third Reformed PCA, Philadelphia
The Need
We started CHAIM in 1989 because there was a need for a Jewish mission in the USA based on the Westminster Standards and taking a Covenantal position.
There are more Jewish people living in the United States than in Israel.
Less than 1% are believers in Jesus. The Jewish people are a "Hidden People Group".
There has been a decline in Jewish missions since the turn of the century. The number of missionaries has not kept pace with the Jewish population. Our Reformed churches were at one time in the forefront of Jewish missions.
There are professional "anti-missionaries" working in the Jewish Community.
The Jewish people have been persecuted by people perceived by them as "Christian".
This unique people needs a special witness. CHAIM is committed to sound theology and a culturally contextualized witness.
Ministry
·Bold street and campus evangelism
·Outreach to Russian Jews and congregational planting
·Follow-up of contacts & referrals
·Church presentations
·Jewish-oriented evangelistic programs
·A support group for Jewish Christians
·Specialized literature
·Training seminary students
·Consultation on outreach
·Pulpit supply